What Happens Immediately After The Merge?
The Merge occurs every season of Survivor, where the two tribes become one. After this, the game changes completely, and the castaways are no longer able to break off into their original tribal alliances. Though this is a dramatic moment in the game of Survivor, what actually happens after The Merge?
Before the Merge: Building Alliances and Game Strategies
Before the merge, the two tribes are often very divided. There is usually a major alliance on one tribe and a second, smaller alliance on the other. This helps to keep the numbers in their favor. Castaways also form a strategy for their post-Merge game, deciding who to target and what to put in motion before The Merge actually takes place.
It’s All Out War at The Merge
When The Merge occurs, it is all out war. Each castaway is on their own and has their own game strategy they have to implement in order to stay in the game. Oftentimes, alliances are dismantled, leaving the entire tribe to fend for themselves. The Merge brings with it a lot of emotions, as it is the moment when the game of Survivor shifts into high gear.
Individual Immunity Challenges
Once The Merge is complete, the castaways no longer compete in tribal challenges. Instead, they compete in individual immunity challenges, where the last person standing wins safety. These challenges typically last over an hour and can be very grueling.
Creating New Alliances
One of the big changes that happens immediately after the Merge is castaways have to start building new alliances. With the tribes now combined, many have to rebuild their trust and start from scratch with their alliance-building efforts.
Targeting the Original Powers
Castaways might also look to target the people who held the majority power in the original tribes. There are times when the power players make it to the end, but more often than not, they make themselves a target early on. Going into The Merge, some castaways will decide who they want to target in order to gain the upper hand in the game.
Identifying the Merge Vote
The Merge Vote occurs when the castaways cast their first combined vote as a tribe. This is a very tricky exercise, as many of the original alliances have been dismantled and the lines of trust have been broken. Not only do castaways have to decide who they want to target, but they also have to find enough votes across both original tribes to actually take out that person.
The Opportunistic Players
At The Merge, there are often opportunistic players who take advantage of the chaos and chaos that ensues. They use their social skills and strategic ability to their advantage, looking to form relationships with those who can help to carry them further in the game.
Final Four Challenge
The game of Survivor does not end after The Merge. In order for a castaway to win, they must make it to the Final Four and compete in the Final Four challenge. This is a grueling individual challenge that tests the strength and endurance of the four remaining players. After this challenge, only one winner remains.
The Winner of Survivor
The last person standing after the Final Four challenge is declared the Sole Survivor. They walk away with the grand prize and business of being the Sole Survivor.
Immediate Aftermath of a Merge
The aftermath of a Merge is always intense. It’s a moment of celebration for those that made it past the first consolidated votes, and sadness for those who were sent home too soon. It’s a moment of re-strategizing and making calculated decisions moving forward. As the game progresses and the remaining players’ relationships deepen, so too will their strategies.
After The Merge, the castaways start to take the game more seriously. They know that if they make it to the end, they have a legitimate shot of winning the game and becoming the Sole Survivor. It’s the moment that the first individual or small alliance wins the title, and it’s the most rewarding moment for the castaways.
The Merge is a powerful moment in the game of Survivor. It changes the structure of the game completely, as castaways are forced to start from scratch with their alliance building and strategy. It’s an intense moment full of emotions, as castaways have to make calculated decisions in order to make it to the end. After The Merge, players put all of their effort into making it to the Final Four and ultimately becoming the Sole Survivor.
